​A professional logo is designed to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the Ottawa Home Economics Association. Ottawa Members are encouraged to download this logo as part of their e-signature. To add this logo to your e-signature, right-click the image above and click "Save As" to your desired location in your computer. Then, upload the file to your email service's signature.

The Coalition for Healthy School Food & Food Literacy (Sustain Ontario) held an excellent one- hour meeting with MPP Matthew Rae on March 15, thanks to connections made by Diane O’Shea, P.H.Ec., who also expertly facilitated the meeting.

Rae is MPP for Perth/Wellington (Diane’s riding) and was Parliamentary Assistant to Minister of Education Lecce, until March 10, when he moved to Municipal Affairs & Housing.

In attendance via Zoom were available members of the Coalition: Sarah Keyes (Project Manager, Sustain Ontario), Dr. Peggy O’Neil, P.H.Ec., (Brescia University College), Janet Nezon (Rainbow Foods), Andrew Fleet (Growing Chefs Ontario) Jacob Keary-Moreland (PhD candidate Lakehead U.), Alicia Martin, (PhD candidate – U. of Guelph), Diane O’Shea and Mary Carver (OHEA), Matthew Rae and his Administrative Assistant, Peter Bury.

The agenda included a brief history of our food literacy efforts, definitions and examples of food literacy in-action, and our commitment and passion for the topic. Also included were questions about next steps and whether Bill 216 can be revived after it lost its’ holding position when the government was prorogued pre-election. The Coalition’s goal is to find another MPP to champion Food Literacy after the retirement of MPP Daryl Kramp. We sensed good vibes from Mr. Rae who said, he’d “speak to Minister Lecce.” We await feedback and guidance.
 
Rae who is originally from a Listowel-area dairy farm, appeared on-board with the Coalition’s concern for more food literacy K-12; but we know we must keep our finger on this topic.

In March, out-of-the-blue, the government announced one mandated ‘Technology’ course effective in 2024 for all students to graduate from high school. Hospitality & Tourism is one Technology option, it does not, however, have the food literacy competencies we are seeking for all students to achieve a desirable quality of home and family life.

“At the meeting with Mr. Rae, I was able to clearly reinforce that a Tech Hospitality course does not possibly address food literacy as a grade 9/10 Food and Nutrition course would,” said Diane O'Shea B.A., B.Ed., M.Ed., P.H.Ec., Family Studies Educator (Retired).

“The new Tech requirement could negatively impact current food literacy taught in Food & Nutrition and Grade 9 Family Studies (FS) courses. Hamilton Social Science heads are concerned about the possibility of fewer students opting for FS courses when a Tech option becomes mandatory. The result could be insufficient numbers to offer FS courses every semester. At my school, we had only 3 sections of the HFN course running this 22/23 year as is, ” said Camille Naranjit, OCT, P.H.Ec., OHEA President.

On March 27, Diane and Mary will attend a four-hour Food Forum Summit hosted by the Hon. Lisa Thompson, OMAFRA, via Zoom. Dr. Peggy O’Neil, P.H.Ec. will attend in-person at Queen’s Park. It’s important for OHEA to be a visible stake-holder and aware of government direction on food education. We remain dedicated to speak-up for Home Economists at every opportunity. Can we have success advocating for Food Literacy without a formal Bill?  We await the answer.

We do know that we are stronger together working with like-minded groups. Leadership at Sustain Ontario has been fantastic. Check out their new collaborative website of Teacher Resources:  https://foodisscience.ca/

Where is food literacy headed for the students of Ontario? Read registered dietitian, Rosie Swartz's blog post here.

If elected, what will the parties do to support food literacy and healthy school food programs?

Sustain Ontario invites you to join a virtual all-party event on Thursday, May 26th from 12 noon to 1 p.m. ET to hear from the following candidates that party leaders have appointed as representatives:


Matt Richter, Green Party of Ontario, Parry Sound-Muskoka | 12 – 12:15 p.m.
Amanda Pulker-Mok, Ontario Liberal Party, Lanark-Frontenac-Kingston | 12:15 – 12:30 p.m.
Terence Kernaghan, Ontario New Democratic Party, London North Centre | 12:30 – 12:45 p.m.
TBD, Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario | 12:45-1 p.m.

The event will be live-streamed on Facebook and available for viewing afterward. It will be moderated by Dr. Peggy O’Neil of Brescia University College.
Candidates will answer the following four questions, provided to them in advance — If elected, what will you do to…

1. Advance food literacy as a mandatory part of the school curriculum for grades 1-12?
2. Strengthen the conditions for experiential food literacy education in Ontario schools?
3. Address Ontario’s annual investment in the Student Nutrition Program to accommodate rising food costs coupled with greater demand?
4. Work with the federal government on a national, universal healthy school food program?
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With the recent successes in food literacy and school food, it is a crucial time to continue building momentum for this important movement. We hope you’ll join us in shining the light on the urgency of advancing healthy school food and food literacy in Ontario and Canada!
To learn more about why we need healthy food and food literacy in Ontario schools, visit Sustain Ontario's 2022 #VoteONFood campaign here.

This event is hosted by Sustain Ontario, the Coalition for Healthy School Food and Brescia University College.

CALLING ALL MEMBERS

Click HERE to complete the survey.

We’ve noticed our branding is vague. As we enter into our 40 years as an association, we want to portray a strong brand to the public that you are continually confident in and can explain who you are as a current or aspiring Professional Home Economist (P.H.Ec.). To do this, we need your help.

To better define our mission, vision and values, we need to understand what is important to you, our members of ALL categories, when talking about OHEA and the profession of Home Economics. We encourage you to share your voice, opinions and help shape the next 40 years by completing our survey.

There are 12 questions and the survey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete. The answers are anonymous and will be kept confidential. We strongly encourage honest, constructive feedback. This information will be used to help advance the association. Click HERE to complete the survey.

The survey will be available until January 31, 2019. If you have any questions or concerns about the survey, please contact Rachelle Provost, VP Communications, at rachelleleighprovost.4@gmail.com.

We would like to wish all of our members and their families, our partners and supporters a wonderful holiday season and a very happy New Year from the Ontario Home Economics Association (OHEA).

We look forward to seeing the wonderful accomplishments you achieve in 2019 and experiencing OHEA's 40th year with you. 

OHEA is pleased to announce Cailin Whincop and June Matthews as the final two speakers for our leadership workshop. Titled "Career Leadership While Influencing the Community," is your chance to take your career in a new direction!

Read below to find out more about these speakers. 

​Another great speaker has just been added to the agenda for the Food and Nutrition Forum at The Royal! Just one of many reasons why you should register for this event. 
 
Pat Crocker has released a timely cookbook - Healing Cannabis Edibles: Exploring the Synergy of Power Herbs. She will present and answer questions about cooking and healing with cannabis. Her cookbook will be available for sale. This pertinent presentation is one more good reason to sign up for the Food and Nutrition Forum on Nov. 7th.

​Read below for seven more reasons for why you should attend the Forum at The Royal. 

OHEA is pleased to announce Stacey Oleksy and Cathy Enright as two of six speakers for our leadership workshop. Titled "Career Leadership While Influencing the Community," this event is your chance to take your career in a completely new direction!

Read below to find out more about these speakers.  

By: Getty Stewart, P.H.Ec. 
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Article originally posted HERE on gettystewart.com. 

While the holidays may be a thought of the past, the importance of food safety is never over. Getty Stewart, a Professional Home Economist (P.H.Ec.) has fantastic advice about storing holiday leftovers. Read below!